Three gang members convicted of murder in teen’s slaying

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif.– Three gang members responsible for the 2012 fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy near Arroyo Valley High School in San Bernardino have been convicted.

The trial was conducted in front of two juries, one of which returned a guilty verdict Tuesday for Taron Anderson, 21, and Lavelle Miller, 20, both of San Bernardino.

Anderson and Miller were convicted of second degree murder with jurors finding true a gang allegation and that a gun was used to commit the murder. Though minors at the time of the crime, both Anderson and Miller were charged as adults for the murder of Anthony Dewayne Mitchell of Rialto. Both men face 40 years to life in prison.

On Thursday, a second jury found Lemonta Maddox, 22, of San Bernardino, guilty of second degree murder with jurors finding true a gang allegation and that a gun was used to commit the murder.

According to Deputy District Attorney Christine Masonek, who prosecuted the case, moments before the shooting, a school police officer was parked at the intersection just in front of the area where the shooting occurred specifically watching the area for potential violence as it was an area that had suffered violent activity in the past.

“Another unknown gang member, however, distracted the officer causing the officer to chase after him in the opposite direction which provided an opportunity for the shooter to execute the victim,” said Masonek.

All three defendants are scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 15, 2016 at the San Bernardino Justice Center.

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It is the mission of the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office to represent the interests of the people in the criminal justice system, as mandated by California State law. The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office serves the residents of San Bernardino County by: seeking the truth, protecting the innocent; holding the guilty accountable; preserving the dignity of victims and their families; and, ensuring that justice is done while always maintaining the highest ethical standards.